Roberta Aguirre
It is possible to replace a Verizon FIOS router with an Apple Airport Extreme. However, this may not be straightforward and may require some technical know-how. Users have reported success with this setup, but your mileage may vary depending on your specific hardware and software configurations. Some users have reported issues with connecting to the internet and slow WiFi speeds. It is worth noting that the Airport Extreme is an older product and there are newer, better options available on the market.
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What You'll Learn
Using Apple Airport Extreme as a Fios router
First, the Airport Extreme may bottleneck your performance as the WAN to LAN throughput is limited to 325 Mbps - 600 Mbps depending on the model. For example, if you have a Fios Gig service, you may experience slower wifi speeds with an Airport Extreme compared to other routers that can support faster speeds.
Second, the Airport Extreme is an older device and has not been updated in several years. There are newer routers on the market that offer better performance, more features, and ongoing updates. Some alternatives include eero, orbi, and luma, which are capable of gigabit speeds.
If you still want to use an Airport Extreme as your Fios router, there are a few steps you need to take. First, you need to release your IP address from the previous router. This can be done by contacting your internet service provider (ISP) and requesting them to release the IP address or waiting for it to be automatically released after 24-48 hours.
Once you have released the IP address, you can connect the Airport Extreme to your Fios network. This typically involves plugging the Airport Extreme into the ethernet port of your Fios ONT (Optical Network Terminal). You may then need to call your ISP to activate the ethernet port and reconfigure your network settings.
It is important to note that you may need to reset your router to its default settings and retry if you are encountering issues. Additionally, you may need to break or reset the DHCP lease by unplugging your battery backup unit, opening the battery case, disconnecting the battery terminals for a few minutes, and then reconnecting them before plugging the unit back in.
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Steps to connect Airport Extreme to Fios
Firstly, you need to log in to the Actiontec web interface. This can typically be done by going to http://192.168.1.1/. Then, you must release the IP address that VZ's network has given the Actiontec. This is important because if you don't, your Airport base station will not be allotted a new IP address. After this, turn off the Actiontec and remove the "WAN" ethernet cable from it. Plug the ethernet cable into the "WAN" port of your Airport base station and turn it on. The Airport base station should boot up and request an IP from VZ's DHCP server. The "Internet Connection" setting in the Airport should be "DHCP" and not "PPPoE". Finally, configure your Airport wireless network as desired.
It is important to note that some people have reported issues with this setup, such as not being able to connect to the internet or having slower speeds than expected. Additionally, if you have TV service through Verizon, you may not be able to access the channel listings and TV guide service by connecting Airport Extreme to Fios.
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Troubleshooting common issues
Issue: Inability to connect to the internet
Solution: Check your modem and ensure it is working correctly by connecting your computer directly to the modem using an Ethernet cable. If the modem is operating correctly, the products should work together. If you are still unable to connect to the internet, you may need to release your IP address. Contact Verizon Fios to release your IP address or wait 24-48 hours for the IP to be automatically released.
Issue: Double NAT
Solution: Turn off DHCP & NAT to avoid a double NAT issue. If you have played with the settings to test DHCP capabilities, ensure that you turn off the wireless network on the Actiontec modem.
Issue: Inability to create a guest network
Solution: Running the Airport Extreme in bridge mode may cause the loss of the ability to create a guest network. To avoid this issue, do not set up the device in bridge mode.
Issue: Slow speeds
Solution: Ensure that your Wi-Fi device is connected to the Verizon Wi-Fi network, not the Airport Express network. Power off the Airport Express and connect to the Verizon Wi-Fi network. If this does not work, power cycle the Verizon gateway by turning it off, waiting a minute, and then powering it back on.
Issue: Incompatible hardware
Solution: The Verizon hardware is a gateway device that houses both a modem and a router. If you have an additional Airport Express network, you may not need both Wi-Fi networks. To troubleshoot this issue, power off the Airport Express and connect to the Verizon Wi-Fi network.
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Alternative router options
Verizon Fios does come with a free router, but these routers may lack some of the advanced features that power users or heavy consumers are looking for. Luckily, it is possible to use your own router with Verizon Fios.
Some alternative routers that are compatible with Verizon Fios include:
- ASUS ROG Rapture GT6: This router has a lot of customization options, is easy to set up, and delivers good performance. It has a rating of 4.5 stars on Amazon and has been reviewed by more than 3,600 people.
- ASUS RT-AX86U: This router is perfect for those who need top-tier speed and stability. It works great with Fios and has strong Wi-Fi 6 performance. It also has no annoying rental fees.
- TP-Link Archer AX55: This is a cheaper option that still offers solid performance.
- TP-Link AX21: This router has speeds up to 1,800 Mbps, four antennas, WPA3 security, and delivers a reliable performance for small to medium-sized homes. It has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon and is a #1 best seller.
- Netgear routers: Netgear routers are known for their speed, connectivity, security, and more.
- Apple Airport Extreme: This router can be used with Verizon Fios, but there may be some workarounds needed to get it set up properly.
When choosing a router for Verizon Fios, it is important to consider factors such as speed, range, and advanced features. It is also important to ensure that the router is compatible with your specific Fios plan.
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Extending Fios wireless signal with Airport Extreme
If you want to extend your Fios wireless signal with Airport Extreme, you can do so by following these steps:
Firstly, if you have a cable, connect your Airport Extreme to your router with it. This will allow your Airport Extreme to get an IP address from your router.
Next, open the Airport Utility on your device. This can be done on Mac, Windows, or iPhone. Once you have opened the Airport Utility, follow these steps:
- Click 'Edit Airport Station'
- Click the 'Wireless' tab
- Click 'Network Mode'
- Click 'Extend a Wireless Network'
If you do not have a cable, you can create a wireless network with the same SSID and password as your main network. To do this, connect your Airport Extreme to your router with an ethernet cable. This method may result in a bottlenecked performance, as the WAN to LAN throughput is limited to between 325 Mbps and 600 Mbps, depending on your Airport Extreme model.
If you want to avoid this potential performance issue, you can use your Verizon Fios router as a router only (with the radios turned off) and use your Airport Extreme in bridge mode for your wireless needs. This can be achieved by turning off the WiFi on your ISP router and letting the Airport run the network.
It is worth noting that some ISPs may not support this configuration, and you may need to contact them to modify their upstream device. Additionally, TimeMachine is not supported when using an Airport Extreme in this way.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can replace your Verizon-supplied router with an Apple Airport Extreme. However, you may need to contact Verizon to release your IP address or renew your IP lease.
To replace your Verizon-supplied router with an Apple Airport Extreme, you will need to first log in to the Verizon-supplied router's web interface and release your IP address. Then, connect your Apple Airport Extreme to the ethernet port of the Verizon ONT. Finally, call Verizon and ask them to switch on the ethernet port and reconfigure your network.
Some users may prefer to use an Apple Airport Extreme as their router if they already have Apple products and want to use Airplay with their stereo in another room. Additionally, some people may find the Verizon-supplied router too big and want to use their Apple Airport Extreme to save space.
Some users have reported that using an Apple Airport Extreme as their router may bottleneck their performance as the WAN to LAN throughput is limited to 325 Mbps - 600 Mbps depending on the model. Additionally, Apple is no longer updating the Apple Airport Extreme, and there are newer routers on the market that may offer better performance and features.
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